Help with speedometer cable? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ghostvbhc · 11-23-2012, 10:22 PM

I ordered a brand new speedometer cable and when I hooked it up, it didn't work. Now, I checked to see if everything was hooked up and tight and where the cable hooks up to the transmission, it feels as if it isn't hooking in all the way into the transmission and the speedometer isn't reading anything at all. And, I feel as if when I shift it into gear the speedometer cable is gonna end up getting chewed up because it looks like the cable isn't fitting right and it's hitting the bottom of the shifter. I have a three speed manual transmission in the floor. If anybody could help me with this, I'd appreciate it.

**LockDoc** · 11-23-2012, 11:17 PM

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Are you sure the plastic trans speedometer gear is in place?

Edit: Actually there are two, one on the trans output shaft and one in the cable adapter. If you check the first picture at this web site you can see the two gears. (this is a 700 r4 trans)

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...n_______va.htm

LockDoc

69GWC · 11-24-2012, 12:18 AM

Also you can hook a drill up to the cable to make sure the speedo itself is working, if thats working then you know the gear in the tranny is not spinning the cable.
Posted via Mobile Device

ghostvbhc · 11-24-2012, 03:25 PM

I'm gonna do the drill thing with the cable and see if it's working. I just don't wanna drive around without a speedometer haha.

ghostvbhc · 11-25-2012, 12:20 AM

So, I did the thing with the drill and speedometer cable works, so we can't figure out why it isn't working. Maybe it's just not hooking up to the transmission all the way.
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 11-25-2012, 03:21 AM

When you look at the transmission where the cable goes can you see any plastic. The plastic gear may have striped out on the end where the cable goes into it.

This is what the gear looks like if you take the tail housing off the trans.

68gmsee · 11-25-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostvbhc

So, I did the thing with the drill and speedometer cable works, so we can't figure out why it isn't working. Maybe it's just not hooking up to the transmission all the way.
Posted via Mobile Device

You say the speedometer cable works but is your speedometer needle moving when you use the drill to check it?

I have found the biggest problem is the actual engaging of the squared off ends. Sometimes the upper end is cross threaded into the dash and even though if feels tight, won't engage completely. Also the end on the transmission does not engaging the driven gear properly. To check the complete cable, take the bullet out completely from the transmission and with the cable connected at both ends twirl the driven gear quickly. The needle should jump.

If all above tests are okay, check the teeth of the internal drive gear and make sure it's not loose.

ghostvbhc · 11-25-2012, 02:15 PM

The speedometer needle moves when we did check it with the drill.

ghostvbhc · 11-26-2012, 11:23 PM

I found my problem, we lost that gear in the transmission some how.

rico7769 · 11-26-2012, 11:27 PM

had the same problem and had to dig one out at the junkyard

rico7769 · 11-26-2012, 11:32 PM

classic parts also has a selection of them for certain setups for anywhere from $6.50-$11.00. Usually in certain colors depending on the tranny /gear ratio/tire size etc.

ghostvbhc · 11-26-2012, 11:32 PM

We might have to do that. Or, does anybody know where I can order one from? I was gonna try o'reillys tomorrow after work.

Edit - ^ Nevermind, I'll just order one from there haha.

Double edit - Can anyone help me to determine which one I should order? I have a three speed manual in the floor.

rico7769 · 11-27-2012, 12:02 AM

not sure on that one. Hopefully someone else chimes in on the tooth count of the original based on your specs. Do you know your rear end ratio so it can be more easily determined for another subscriber? If not, I found a thread on the site a few years back searching for the same info and seem to remember getting some info from it based on what I knew of my own setup.

Good luck and I hope you find what you need.

ghostvbhc · 11-27-2012, 12:04 AM

Ill have to get that information tomorrow and hopefully someone can help me out. Thanks though man.
Posted via Mobile Device

cdowns · 11-27-2012, 05:08 AM

should b able to get that part local autoparts store or GM parts counter
buy local and you dont have to wait or pay shipping

Andy4639 · 11-27-2012, 05:12 AM

I hit the local transmission shop and got a free one out of another transmission. They have hundreds of them laying around.
Well my local shop did anyway.

11-23-2012, 10:22 PM	#1
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Help with speedometer cable? I ordered a brand new speedometer cable and when I hooked it up, it didn't work. Now, I checked to see if everything was hooked up and tight and where the cable hooks up to the transmission, it feels as if it isn't hooking in all the way into the transmission and the speedometer isn't reading anything at all. And, I feel as if when I shift it into gear the speedometer cable is gonna end up getting chewed up because it looks like the cable isn't fitting right and it's hitting the bottom of the shifter. I have a three speed manual transmission in the floor. If anybody could help me with this, I'd appreciate it. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-23-2012, 11:17 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,818	Re: Help with speedometer cable? - Are you sure the plastic trans speedometer gear is in place? Edit: Actually there are two, one on the trans output shaft and one in the cable adapter. If you check the first picture at this web site you can see the two gears. (this is a 700 r4 trans) http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...n_______va.htm LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 11-23-2012 at 11:25 PM.

11-24-2012, 12:18 AM	#3
69GWC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,089	Re: Help with speedometer cable? Also you can hook a drill up to the cable to make sure the speedo itself is working, if thats working then you know the gear in the tranny is not spinning the cable. Posted via Mobile Device

11-24-2012, 03:25 PM	#4
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? I'm gonna do the drill thing with the cable and see if it's working. I just don't wanna drive around without a speedometer haha. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-25-2012, 12:20 AM	#5
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? So, I did the thing with the drill and speedometer cable works, so we can't figure out why it isn't working. Maybe it's just not hooking up to the transmission all the way. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-25-2012, 03:21 AM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Help with speedometer cable? When you look at the transmission where the cable goes can you see any plastic. The plastic gear may have striped out on the end where the cable goes into it. This is what the gear looks like if you take the tail housing off the trans. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-25-2012, 02:15 PM	#8
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? The speedometer needle moves when we did check it with the drill. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-26-2012, 11:23 PM	#9
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? I found my problem, we lost that gear in the transmission some how. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-26-2012, 11:27 PM	#10
rico7769 Hybrid67 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Martinez, GA Posts: 195	Re: Help with speedometer cable? had the same problem and had to dig one out at the junkyard __________________ Keep em' Running! All show.....no go

11-26-2012, 11:32 PM	#11
rico7769 Hybrid67 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Martinez, GA Posts: 195	Re: Help with speedometer cable? classic parts also has a selection of them for certain setups for anywhere from $6.50-$11.00. Usually in certain colors depending on the tranny /gear ratio/tire size etc. __________________ Keep em' Running! All show.....no go

11-26-2012, 11:32 PM	#12
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? We might have to do that. Or, does anybody know where I can order one from? I was gonna try o'reillys tomorrow after work. Edit - ^ Nevermind, I'll just order one from there haha. Double edit - Can anyone help me to determine which one I should order? I have a three speed manual in the floor. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-27-2012, 12:02 AM	#13
rico7769 Hybrid67 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Martinez, GA Posts: 195	Re: Help with speedometer cable? not sure on that one. Hopefully someone else chimes in on the tooth count of the original based on your specs. Do you know your rear end ratio so it can be more easily determined for another subscriber? If not, I found a thread on the site a few years back searching for the same info and seem to remember getting some info from it based on what I knew of my own setup. Good luck and I hope you find what you need. __________________ Keep em' Running! All show.....no go

11-27-2012, 12:04 AM	#14
ghostvbhc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 106	Re: Help with speedometer cable? Ill have to get that information tomorrow and hopefully someone can help me out. Thanks though man. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 250 straight six. Still a work in progress.

11-27-2012, 05:08 AM	#15
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Help with speedometer cable? should b able to get that part local autoparts store or GM parts counter buy local and you dont have to wait or pay shipping __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-27-2012, 05:12 AM	#16
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Help with speedometer cable? I hit the local transmission shop and got a free one out of another transmission. They have hundreds of them laying around. Well my local shop did anyway. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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